With that being said I got to ALOT of Career fairs, (i've been to 5 this semester) and each fair had 15+ employers there.

So anyway, onto my point. On my resume, under activities/ hobbies /recreational etc (no that isnt actually a title on my resume) I put down skydiving, and every single time I've had an interview the recruiter / interviewer asked about skydiving, and 100% of the time so far its made a really good Ice Breaker, which then lead into a really good conversation relating to the job.

I've had lots of interviews this semester, and I dont plan on taking it off :P It's only served me well!

I've sat on both sides of the table, so I know what they're looking for. I can also spot interviewers who aren't sure what they're looking for, and there are a lot of those. But that's another topic.

I could see citing formation jumps as proof of teamwork skills. Especially if there's video evidence or the formation was a record attempt. And especially if you led and planned them.

Other thing is if you're a boring individual and don't stand out much, your name might not come up at the end of the day. Being tagged as "The guy who skydives" isn't necessarily bad if it has them talking about you. You're already standing out from the crowd at that point. Just make sure it isn't all you talk about, or you'll slip back into the "mediocre" category pretty quickly.

I own a small business and tend to make up my mind whether I will hire you in the first 30 seconds I meet you. With that said if I had put you in the no category and then found out you jumped it might make me change my opinion.

Yeah i have it written on my CV. I had an interview once with the MD and another Director and they went through my CV. Skydiving was not mentioned once in any interviews but they must have seen it on my CV. 1 day later i get a call from the MD saying that i got the job :) Started work and after a week found out the MD was a skydiver. Not saying thats what got me the job but i think it certanly helped out.

you are at a job interview, your employer asks you about your life outside work...

Will you tell him you are a skydiver?

Don't do it. Outside of other jumpers, think about how many people you talk to about jumping who say that 'you're crazy'. When was the last time someone hired an employee they thought was 'crazy'.

Think about all the other people who say they're interested, but never actually jump. If I was talking to an opera singer, I would also be polite and act interested, but I'm really not interested. That's because I don't like opera, but it could also be because I thought opera was unsafe and 'crazy', in either case it wouldn't appear that way to the opera singer to whom I was speaking.

Share as little as possible when interviewing for a job. You can always tell them more about yourself later, but it's impossible to take something back once it's out of the bag. Get the job, prove your competence and that you're an asset to the company, and then you can reveal the 'real you'.

Depends on the job and the interviewer. With some I've mentioned it and they love it. With others I've decided not to. It just depends on the hiring person. Now this last interview I did, but it was for a skydiving job...

While interviewing for this job (flight test engineer) I listed that I'm an instructor. It came up later in the interview and the general joke was that I might be a premature exit risk. "Wait, whats that red light? Shit, I'm out of here!" They briefly asked what skydiving has taught me and I touched on the basic areas like thinking on my feet, troubleshooting, working well with people, etc. It seemed to really help and here I am now.

Like others have said, it depends on your job title but with people who routinely fly 20 million dollar jets outside of their envelope, bail-out is a real possibility and not such a crazy idea. If you list it, be sure to tie it to real world skills that make you a better candidate.

I'm an experienced person and any interview i go on people generally know me. I have not been asked personal questions during interviews but it does come up during drinks or dinner. I dont hide from it and have actually gotten a very positive response in my expereince. I have a job that is purely performance based and involves risk, so perhaps that is why i get that response. people really dont care about what i do on my own time.

My boss actually brings it up to customers all the time. he thinks its a great conversation starter. but then again, im a known entity and skydiving is tame compared to my reputation for coke and hookers.

Not unless it has something to do with the job. If it's an IT serviceman, no. If it's a rigger for UPT, then yes. If you teach skydiving, and it's for a position that requires that you teach, then perhaps.

My girlfriend got told that she had scored higher on an intake evaluation for something because she'd represented her country at something. The fact that it was skydiving wasn't important, but for whatever reason, it moved her up the list.

I did, and after they hired me they told me it played a big part in their decision. The key is to demonstrate how it relates. I was applying for a sales management/strategy role. They liked my jumping because I was able to use it to demonstrate:

So here's the situation, you are at a job interview, your employer asks you about your life outside work...

Will you tell him you are a skydiver?

It's an interesting question. So far I have not--however I'm beginning to wonder whether I should begin doing so. I've tended to pursue skydiving in fits and starts and only recently obtained my A license. I think I would feel more comfortable mentioning it now that I'm a licensed skydiver (which shows a certain ability to stick to and reach a goal--potentially relevant to an employer) as opposed to it simply being a bucket list item (less relevant).

However it would only really come up if one made it a certain way in the interview process. You wouldn't mention skydiving on a resume except near the bottom under 'interests and activities' unless it were a skydiving related job. And only the first few lines of a resume are likely to be scanned by the employer the first time they look at it. So you are going to need some real skills in the job to get your foot in the door--it would only be relevant later in the process.

Again, it all depends on how you sell it and can show some sort of relationship.

In reply to:

In sales management yes it could be a positive factor...not so much with other endeavors.

SOME employers have those preconceived notions and any attempt to 'sell it' can make ya look irrational, unrealistic, like a death-wisher that can't be depended on...always remember how WE see 'our' world is a far cry from what most outsiders perceive.

I once held what the company referred to (constantly) as a 'Key' managerial position.

80+ % was military contracts, I held a secret clearance and dealt mainly with prototype hardware for a skunk-works subcontractor.

Signed it and then did a demo into the Miramar Airshow a week later...Explaining I wasn't' 'sport' skydiving, that I was working in a position as a paid professional... was amusing for all.

What they ended up doing was taking out a life-insurance policy on me that I had to pay for if I wanted to keep jumping...naming the corp. as the beneficiary. It was a spanking, I deserved it so I paid the $.

My boss said I could 'fight it' if I wanted...I said if I did that, they might incorrectly get the impression I cared about inconsequential B.S. when there was important work to be done.

He ate it up, must not have realized I meant my WEEKEND demo-jumping 'work'.

Anyway, I kept a great job & continued jumping out of 'perfectly good airplanes'

POINT being~ it's not necessarily a great and positive thing to flaunt involvement in an activity many have little understanding of, and often what they DO 'understand' is WAY wrong.

Gotta kinda be careful which path you take.

Human racehorses was much more interested in my 'leadership abilities' in THEIR field than how many times I successfully spotted a stick for a tight night demo.

( i DID get major brownie points once for a bandit flag jump into the company picnic though )

In reality, not many people care about your hobbies, so if it affects the interview one way or the other, I'd wonder if that's someone I'd like to work for.

That said - The payoff depends on the interviewer and how you use it. But don't just put it on the resume. In fact, delete the 'personal interests' section completely - it's used to screen out, not screen in.

But I don't volunteer personal stuff like that unless asked, but then always be honest and present it in terms that relate to the interview. So, if they ask what your hobbies our outside interests are - pick a true one that will help the interview - if you think it's skydiving, great. if you think skydiving will hurt the interview talk about something else (Golf, skiing, tennis, charity work, family).

it's really situational - suck it up and learn to establish a rapport - interviews are great, you get to talk about a subject you SHOULD be very familiar with - yourself

It's not worth bringing up in an interview, most hiring managers will consider you high risk and want nothing to do with you. My current boss found out about around 6 months after i was hired. He told me flat out he never would have hired if he had known about that before.

Other thing is if you're a boring individual and don't stand out much, your name might not come up at the end of the day. Being tagged as "The guy who skydives" isn't necessarily bad if it has them talking about you. You're already standing out from the crowd at that point. Just make sure it isn't all you talk about, or you'll slip back into the "mediocre" category pretty quickly.

Yea - I'm a very quiet, softly-spoken and "boring" kind of person with a bunch of odd, solitary old-man hobbies that people generally find a bit strange.

I would mention "skydiving" as something that will make me seem slightly more human - still hard for them to relate to but they might think I'm outgoing, energetic and confident, etc. All untrue, of course.

In reality, not many people care about your hobbies, so if it affects the interview one way or the other, I'd wonder if that's someone I'd like to work for.

That said - The payoff depends on the interviewer and how you use it. But don't just put it on the resume. In fact, delete the 'personal interests' section completely - it's used to screen out, not screen in.

But I don't volunteer personal stuff like that unless asked, but then always be honest and present it in terms that relate to the interview. So, if they ask what your hobbies our outside interests are - pick a true one that will help the interview - if you think it's skydiving, great. if you think skydiving will hurt the interview talk about something else (Golf, skiing, tennis, charity work, family).

it's really situational - suck it up and learn to establish a rapport - interviews are great, you get to talk about a subject you SHOULD be very familiar with - yourself

That's 'Nuts on' regarding the process IMHO, and I too have sat on both sides of the table.

If Skydiving personality traits are athletic, outgoing, analytical attention to detail etc. ~ show THAT in the interview with your communication & presentation skills regarding what 'interests' the interviewer...but ya don't have to 'feature' the sport as part of 'who you are'.

It's something you do, as a prospective employer I was always more interested in your education & field experience. Your maturity, values, commitment to career etc.

Can you think & answer on the fly, do you have good eye contact, are you prepared, dressed well and well spoken.

If I'm interviewing you for yard work I want to see worn work boots & calloused hands...if it's for a professional position I'm looking at a lotta different things.

First impression means a lot...how you handle yourself in what's obviously a stressful situation speaks volumes. It tells the prospective employer 'who' you are and that you will probably 'fit in'.

A positive work/education history tells them 'what' you are, what you can do for them.

HOW you use what ya got away from work is really of little real interest or concern to most employers...if there's even a slightest hint our sport could be perceived as a negative aspect, it's only smart not to throw it in the mix.

After college and moving to the west-coast I aced my 1st interview for the weirdest reasons...I became good friends with the interviewer who hired me.

Interesting perspective ~ strong handshake, lots of eye contact, well spoken, and that fact I was from Illinois where people have a strong work ethic and don't know how to surf...meaning I would be there everyday!

One point I've never forgotten was the explanation of why they took a photo following the 1st interview, if you're wearing the same suit, shirt & tie for the 2nd interview...you're bush league and the offer made reflects it.

I did. I don't think it hurt me. They are looking for class A personalities for the job. I am on a Helitack crew. I fly around in a UH-1H Huey helicopter and fight forest fires. The only thing I hear is "Don't Jump!"

Yes. Note you’re a skydiver and also any other major interests hobbies. When I interview people, I want to get a better idea of what they are like both via their CV beforehand and during the interview process.

However there are variances depending on:

- whether you’re 25 and just starting your career or you’re 45 and have a track record of success/experience behind you

- you’re speaking with an American, European or Asian interviewer (there are a myriad of differences)

- whether the role you’re seeking is client-facing or not (if you are to be in a role representing the firm, then yes they definitely want to have a better idea of “what makes you tick”)

This mantra of “I’m good at my job and that’s the only thing that matters” is rubbish. Think about it; look around your own company – there are always people that are promoted above their actual skill level or competence and also very talented/high quality people that never seem to get the recognition they deserve.

Post upthread about instructional ratings, team coaching etc is different - those are potentially relevant, (weirdly, especially in more gung-ho corporate settings). But having a Personal Interests section is a mistake, as is mentioning casual skydiving IMO.

I disagree; it’s used to screen for both yes & no, but more so for the yes pile. If you note you’re into bird watching on your CV – it doesn’t get you into my yes pile, but I’m not going to drop your CV in the bin just because it doesn’t intrigue me.

I suggest briefly listing at least two or three hobbies/interests –not just one “this is my passion & life” example. This yields a greater chance of “connecting” with the interviewer and allows for any single one to be augmented by the others.

When you’re sending a CV or in an interview, every other CV/applicant will have the requisite background/education. How does yours stand out? If they narrow down to five people who all eminently qualified, then it comes down to qualitative measures. Why not give them information.

But keep it short. Note the activity/interest; if asked about it give a short reply but not a “fanciful” description of how your hobby directly relates to the role in question. (i.e. don’t give them a long-winded story of how your kayaking skills directly relate to the job – it comes across as trying too hard).

Over the past two decades, I’ve assessed CVs and hired people for roles in Europe, US and Asia in a very competitive and high-paying sector. This is feedback from how I’ve gone about the review process and the methods of colleagues involved in the same process. Yes, it does come down to being more of an art than science, but at least attempt to gear the game in your favour.

Your a bit biased in this subject though. YOU may put people into the yes pile for putting something like skydiving onto a resume but that's because you skydive. Your typical hiring manager may not look at it the same way as you. Lots of people look at this sport as being stupid, irresponsible and high risk.

Yes, I'm bias in that I seek interesting people. I've dropped more than one CV in the rubbish bin for the entry "hobbies/interests: walking & reading". Honestly that's like listing you like to breath air.

Know and match your audience. It's so easy to get background info on a companies mgmt. This is useful both pre hire and for day-to-day practice.

I am pretty sure I had skydiving on my resume when I was a brand new A licensed jumper. I was proud of my accomplishment but it was clear that prospective employers, while intrigued as to "why someone would jump out of an airplane", didn't see the value in it.

It wasn't until I had a medal at a National level that it made it's way back onto my resume. I figured it showed dedication to a goal, teamwork, etc. I found that this impressed my future employers and was brought up in several interviews. In each case I that it was discussed, I received a job offer.

On a side note, I also found out early that being a homebrewer translated to "drunk" until I used it to get a job at a Brewpub. I guess it all depends on what you are applying for.